Chapter 6 - Hannah dies
Hannah died four months before Eliza appeared behind the vent.
Aneurysm.
Sudden.
Thirty-four years old.
At work on a Tuesday afternoon.
She complained of a severe headache.
Collapsed in an elevator lobby.
Never regained consciousness.
Eliza was five.
Megan, Hannah’s older sister, took her.
Temporary guardianship through probate.
Hannah’s estate contained a letter.
Not hidden in a teddy.
No mystery.
Addressed:
For Megan if I die before this is fixed.
Hannah wrote:
Ryan Carter is almost certainly Eliza’s father.
I never tested because I believed his family when they told me he wanted distance.
I no longer believe that.
Claire knows.
If I die, do not let the Carters hide Eliza again.
There.
Megan contacted Claire.
Not me.
Why?
Claire’s number appeared in the file.
Megan assumed Claire was the point of contact authorized by me.
Claire should have corrected immediately.
Instead:
“I’ll tell Ryan.”
She did not.
Week one.
Funeral.
Grief.
She told herself:
Not now.
Week two.
My father’s old associates were under federal subpoena in an unrelated matter.
Claire thought:
Bad timing.
Week three.
Our marriage anniversary.
Not now.
Month two.
Megan threatened to contact me directly.
Claire asked for two more weeks.
Megan agreed because she feared walking into the home of a notorious Mafia boss unannounced with a child.
That fear mattered.
My reputation did work I had never ordered.
Again.
Month three.
Megan’s husband suffered a serious back injury and required surgery.
Her home became chaotic.
She needed help with Eliza.
Claire arranged:
School tuition.
A temporary sitter.
Medical care.
All while hiding the truth from me.
Then source day.
Megan had a twelve-hour hospital shift and no childcare because her regular sitter had influenza.
Claire said:
“Bring Eliza to me.”
Megan hesitated.
Claire told her:
“Ryan knows now.”
Lie.
“He wants to meet her privately this evening.”
Lie.
“He doesn’t want security or lawyers frightening her.”
Plausible.
Megan brought Eliza to our house at 8:10 a.m.
Claire introduced her to Ethan as:
“A family friend.”
Eliza asked immediately:
“Where’s my daddy?”
May you like
Ethan heard.
Claire’s entire plan began collapsing before breakfast.
